The group of tycoon Roberto V. Ongpin is set to operate its own Chinese restaurant at the Balesin Island Club in Polillo, Quezon.
In an update to Balesin Island Club members, Ongpin said that a group from the Shenzhen Yacht group, owners of the Asparas Tribe, a Chinese palace in Balesin, proposed that the Ongpin group operate the Chinese restaurant.
Asparas Tribe was opened around two years ago, but was operated only sporadically, and it has been shut down for over a year now.
The restaurant to be called Tang Palace in Balesin, will be run by David Chua, Balesin’s F&B manager, who has experience in running Chinese restaurants.
Chua started his journey with the group in its Summer Palace in EDSA Shangri-la. He then became the first manager of China Palace in Tagaytay Highlands, and went on to run several well-known Chinese restaurants like East Ocean, Tao Yuan and several others.
“We intend to hire two Chinese chefs – one Cantonese and one Fukienese. They will also be assisted by two Filipino chefs who have been working for David in his Chinese restaurants for many years,” Onpin said.
Ongpin said the group will officially take over the restaurant on June 1, 2021 and will have its opening soon after.
Meanwhile, Ongpin also announced that the group has ordered a 4×5 meter docking platform manufactured by Candock in Canada, for double duty at Balesin.
“First it will ferry our yacht passengers from Fish Fun to the M/Y Obsessions, so that it becomes a comfortable ferry ride,” Ongpin said.
“Second, it will be used most of the time, when not ferrying passengers, as a floating swim platform, which will be stationed about 100 meters off the beach near the Balesin Sala,” he added.
Ongpin said that Balesin was finally allowed to reopen last week, adding that a few members have already been welcomed to the island since.
“It is really so heartwarming to see so many happy faces enjoying COVID-free Balesin,” he added.